[Bette]

Players talk about it all the time: "Colts football Gotta play Colts football."
It's a somewhat vague concept, one that might most readily be defined by its absence. It was absent Sunday at the RCA Dome.
While the Indianapolis Colts were making mistakes, the San Diego Chargers were making plays. While the Colts were turning over the ball and committing crippling penalties, the Chargers were converting third-and-longs. While the defending world champions were butchering opportunities, the Chargers were taking advantage.
"It's going to take a little time to get over it," Colts owner Jim Irsay said. "But like I always say when the year ends and we don't have the trophy, you go back to work and you really look forward to 2008 and that's what I'm looking forward to with the new stadium, and the team's going to be outstanding with all the guys coming back."
The sharp pang of Sunday's disappointment, of the accumulation of disappointments, was evident in quarterback Peyton Manning's voice and manner.
"All you can ask for is a chance and we just didn't finish it like we wanted to."
How the game was lost
Turnovers. The Colts had three, all costing scoring chances.
Penalties. The Colts had five, about their average, but several were costly Big plays. The Colts' No. 3-ranked defense was manhandled....
Billy Volek? That could be the hardest pill for Colts fans
San Diego's backup QB -- who had attempted 10 passes all season -- stepped in for injured Philip Rivers and led the Chargers on a 78-yard game-winning drive, completing 3-of-3 passes and finishing it with a 1-yard keeper. Yes, Billy Volek.

Errors, poor play doom Colts in Dome's finale | IndyStar.com